Need To Talk With People From Tennessee (Crossville, Fairfield Glade: employment, buying)

[Botts]

My wife and I first moved here to Tennessee over twenty years ago. We live almost exactly halfway between Chattanooga and Knoxville, just off I-75. We initially lived a little South of here in Cleveland, TN and about eleven years ago moved here to Riceville. We were at one time outsiders ourselves but we never had any problems making friends and ‘learning the language’ so-to-speak. It all depends on how a person approaches live in a new area. To put it simply, when a person moves to a new place, they shouldn’t bring all the old with them and expect everything to be the same in the new place as it was in the old place. For example, folks talk slower down here and if you’re coming from New England, that could be a real challenge!

The schools are not the best in the country – I guess a person gives a little and takes a little when making decisions about moving to a new area. However, if you’re coming from a large metropolitan area, there would probably be a ton of benefits for raising kids in a rural area verses the big city. I guess there’s a balance in there somewhere. Then there are also some good private schools, which may be an option. That’s just a personal decision…

We live on about 7 acres of land, with several out buildings. We own one of the oldest homes in McMinn County - built in 1838 - and we have just recently finished a complete restoration. It has been featured in the local paper twice and will be included in a new book being published by the McMinn County Historical Society of important historical buildings in the county. The interesting part of this is that we have decided to sell our home - probably next Spring.

Incidentally, 2 of our neighbors have horses and there is fishing and hunting aplenty for those interested. The Tennessee River runs through the Tennessee Valley and both Chattanooga and Knoxville are on the river. The TVA is here (remember Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ after the Great Depression where he created, among other things, the TVA?) and it manages a number of dams along the river for hydro-electric power. That, together with several nuclear plants, gives us some of the cheapest electricity in the country.


I would say that all of Tennessee is beautiful – urban areas tend to be, well, urban and country areas hold up to their name as well. If you’re moving from a metro area and want to live in the country, if will be something of a culture shock – and that would be the case anywhere you move. However, if you really want to flush-out whatever you’re leaving behind, a new adventure in Tennessee could be truly rewarding. I think I would add that even if you were moving from urban to urban, you will probably find that life here is still a lot slower and a lot easier – even in the cities. And get used to it: people talk slower here than in other parts of the country – especially when compared to New England!

I would be more than happy to try and answer any questions you may have.

[alleycat]

Hi, Botts.

I'm sure that NorthCountryGirl would appreciate your offer. However, since her original post she has actually moved to Tennessee.

Don't worry, you'll get lots of opportunity to answer questions about Tennessee in the future.

Welcome to our happy (and sometime weird) little group.

[thirtyish]

Interesting observation. I am also looking to relocate to TN and will make my 2nd trip in 5 months to convince my hubby. He has heard enough and wants to see for himself. Born and raised in California, I have NEVER heard, would I fit in here. I've heard MANY times. It's a nice place to see BUT I WOULD NEVER WANT TO LIVE HERE. Hmmmmm. . .I've decided they are right!

[Botts]

Hi, thirtyish!

Altho' I was not born there, I too grew-up in SoCal. I really enjoyed living there but then I really love it here in the Tennessee Valley! One of my sons now lives in Colorado and he is seeing tons of ex-Calif folks moving there because they have given-up on the the West Coast. The only thing about Colo I guess is that is rapidly becoming a Calif look-alike - including the skyrocketing cost oh housing. That's one of the great benefits of living in Tennessee - we can actually afford it!

Have you narrowed the state down to any particular areas?

[Botts]

Thanks, AlleyCat! I'm still new to the place and I guess I should have slid down to the bottom to see the latest rather than respond to something written in March! Duh!

I've read some of your other comments - good stuff!

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by Botts

Thanks, AlleyCat! I'm still new to the place and I guess I should have slid down to the bottom to see the latest rather than respond to something written in March! Duh!

I've read some of your other comments - good stuff!

No problem.

Welcome to the forum.

We answer all sorts of questions here. Sometimes we even try to answer them correctly.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by alleycat

No problem.

Welcome to the forum.

We answer all sorts of questions here. Sometimes we even try to answer them correctly.

Very cute, alleycat! Actually, the trying to answer correctly part is often accidental!

[Bones]

We answer all sorts of questions here. Sometimes we even try to answer them correctly.[/quote]

Not me. I lie all the time......

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by Bones

We answer all sorts of questions here. Sometimes we even try to answer them correctly.

Not me. I lie all the time......[/quote]

Now I know why we ended up in Kentucky following your road directions!! hehe.

[Bones]

Originally Posted by gemthornton

Not me. I lie all the time......

Now I know why we ended up in Kentucky following your road directions!! hehe.[/quote]

He He He, I give the same directions to the folks from Florida also......